Why You Need to Visit the Amazing Sacra di San Michele Italy

Sacra di San Michele, Saint Michael’s Abbey, is one of the most amazing sites in Italy.

It may be a site that you don’t know about as it’s not one that is on the radar of the typical traveler.

But you’re not a typical traveler, are you?

So by the time you get to the bottom of this post, you’re going to know about this incredible monastery.

Because — in my opinion — it’s definitely worthy of your time.

So let’s start with the where.

 

Where is Sacra di San Michele?

This abbey/monastery is located in the Piemonte, Piedmont, region of Northern Italy.

It’s located about 40km from Torino, Turin, which is the regional capital.

Sacra di San Michele actually sits on top of Mount Pirchiriano in the Val di Susa.

Now, not as many travelers make it to Piedmont which is too bad because it’s a wonderfully diverse region.

But I’d like to see that change.

Because my week there has me longing to return to explore more deeply.

Okay.

So that’s the where.

Now let’s talk about why this site is worthy of your time.

 

Why you should visit this incredible abbey

The history

Sacra di San Michele was built between 983 and 987.

The main church of the Sacra dates from the twelfth century.

It’s here that some members of House of Savoy — one of the oldest royal families in the world — are buried.

So it’s old and has some important people associated with it.

But the Sacra’s most noteworthy person is the person who it is dedicated to: Archangel Michele, Archangel Michael in English.

He is honored by Christians as the defender of the Christian people — he’s a warrior and challenges the enemies of the Church.

Anyway, Michael the Archangel had quite the following in the Mediterranean area.

The oldest and most famous place that pays homage to Saint Michael in the West, is the Sanctuary of San Michele in Monte Sant’Angelo — on the promontory of Gargano in the Puglia region of Southern Italy.

It was built in the 5th century and soon became a prominent center for the spread of the adoration of San Michele.

Monte Sant’Angelo came to represent the ideal example for all succeeding sanctuaries — up on mountain summits, hills and high places or deep in caves.

Next came Mont Saint-Michel around 708.

This monastery was built on a promontory off the Normandy coast in Northern France.

Sacra di San Michele, was then built between 983 and 987 and it is actually half way between the above 2 sanctuaries.

In fact, the abbey sits along the 2000km pilgrimage route which runs from Mont Saint-Michel in France to Monte Sant’Angelo in the Puglia region of Italy.

I did not know there was a pilgrimage route!

Since it sits along this route — which many pilgrims took to show their devotion — the monastery became an important international cultural center.

Sacra di San Michele became a Benedictine monastery from the time of its founding until the late 14th century.

It flourished under this time but then fell into decline and was actually abandoned for 200 years.

In the early 1800’s it began to come back into play.

However it wasn’t until the second half of the 20th century that this incredible site was revived, becoming a sacred, special sanctuary again.

So if you are a lover of history, especially Christian history and history as it relates to this piece of Europe at the crossroads of France and Italy, then you need to visit.

Because there is a lot of interesting things going on here.

 

The stunning location

There is no doubt about it that Sacra di San Michele is located in a magnificent location.

Breath taking is the word I would use.

And it might be the number 1 reason why you should visit.

The Sacra sits up on this mountain peak, Mount Pirchiriano, which in turn is located in the gorgeous Val di Susa.

This valley is part of the Italian Alps.

While the monastery is just 40km from Torino, it is a world away.

You’ll be surrounded by mountain peaks, forests and hills.

The Dora Riparia River — a tributary to the Po River — flows through the valley.

There are some trails around the abbey that you can walk or mountain bike.

So, yes, it’s a religious site, but it’s also very much about nature.

 

The art of Sacra di San Michele

The art and simply the architecture of this abbey are awing.

The Church is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic.

There is a gorgeous door to enter the church and there is the usual stunning artwork inside the church.

One of the cool yet slightly creepy parts is the Scalone dei Morti, the Stairway of the Dead.

The church façade leads to this staircase which is bordered by arches, niches and tombs in which — until recently — skeletons of dead monks were noticeable.

Which is how the stairway got its name.

At the top of the 243 steps is the marble Porta dello Zodiaco, Door of the Zodiac, a 12th century sculpture considered to be a masterpiece.

Epic fail: I don’t seem to have a photo of this!

Anyway…

The art and the architecture of this monastery are incredible.

 

The legends

As is typical, dramatic places like this have, well, dramatic stories.

The most told tale is that of a young woman named Alda.

The story goes that in order to escape the soldiers of fortune, Alda threw herself from the tower — now known as Torre della Bell’Alda, Tower of the Beautiful Alda.

But she was saved from death by 2 angels who brought her to the ground, unharmed.

The locals didn’t believe her so she did it again.

This time the angels let her fall to her death to punish her for being so full of pride.

Ooops.

So there’s drama in the dramatic building and the dramatic setting.

Imagine that?!

 

Practical information for visiting Sacra di San Michele

The easiest way to get to the abbey is with your own car.

But it is possible via bus.

This link has the best information on how to get to Sacra di San Michele.

Visiting hours vary a bit depending on season and days of the week so use this link for opening hours.

It’s just €8 to visit and you can take a guided tour or go it on your own.

However, the tours are only in Italian.

I tagged onto a tour and caught a little bit of information with my limited (very limited) Italian.

There are also events held at the Sacra.

So you could possibly go to a concert in this stunning location or listen to a lecture.

Check the website for more information.

Do note that Sundays and holidays can get busy with locals making the drive to this special sanctuary.

I had to park along a narrow mountain road and walk about 10 minutes to the 800m trail that actually leads to the ticket office.

This is not a site for those who aren’t so mobile.

Remember the 243 steps?

Yup.

This is for the traveler who can handle some activity.

But it’s so worth it!

 

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home and stay safe!

 

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